Old leverguns can still shoot.

[TedH]

I picked up this old Colt SAA 38-40 a while back. I had it lettered and found out it shipped from the factory in 1902 as a 32-20. So I started searching and eventually found a correct barrel and cylinder on separate auctions. I got the barrel and cylinder swapped out, returning the old Colt to its proper configuration. Then, I realized it needed a companion with a lever.
I found this 1894 Marlin on Gunbroker, and a few days later, here it is. Manufactured in 1895, it is my oldest levergun. It's mechanically excellent, even though most of the case colors are faded away. The bore much better than expected too, darn near mint.
I put together a few different loads thanks to the supplies from Tycer, and knowledge garnered from Sixgun. I took it out to see how it would do this weekend, and the old Marlin proved to be worth every penny I paid for it.
I can see a whole lot of fun in my future with this combo.

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[Tycer]

Woo Hoo. Another 32-20 convert.
Happy New Year Ted!

[JimT]

Nice! The old ones can still do the job.

[gamekeeper]

An excellent post for the start of the New Year and a really great looking combo ....

[2ndovc]

Way cool!

My first Winchester 92 is a 32-20 as is the second one I bought. One of the biggest reasons I started reloading all those years ago.

Have fun!

jb

[TedH]

Woo Hoo. Another 32-20 convert.
Happy New Year Ted!

Happy New Year!

[Griff]

Impressive!

[Bill in Oregon]

Ted, she's a beautiful Marlin! Congratulations. I sure hope you completely recovered from that dang Christmas bug that bit you.
May 2024 bring more such delights.
Bill

[ollogger]

Well Ted, That is a very nice looking combo!
I am with out a 32-20 now but thinking about getting a hand gun again?




Brad

[.45colt]

I picked up a Marlin CL .32-20 in '07 after Kirk D did a write up here. Great Gun and caliber. Have Fun.!

[Drawdown]

Congratulations, you got a dandy I'd like to have myself. Had a buddy I used to correspond with a lot until about 7-8 years ago. He growed up in Indiana, and was a dedicated hunter, about everything on 4 legs. But back then I reckon, it was pretty much like a lotta people, hunted with the one family rifle, a 32-20 lever, which model and make I don't remember. But on in life he prospered, had plenty guns, some fine deer rifles! But he moved to KY, and he still reloaded and hunted all sorts of small game, with that 32-20. I didn't reload then, didn't fully understand the recipe, but he was a woods roamer, and he had a reduced load, that was his primary squirrel load, and he knowed how to use it! Knowing him he had a load in his pocket year around, for deer, squirrels, most anything, year around! But I never thought less of him, he was not a poacher by definition, just growed up hunting what he needed to eat, and that's way he believed, and that's all he took!
But aprox? 10 years ago or little more KY passed a law, you could no longer squirrel hunt with a centerfire cartridge. I know he's still complaining!!!

[Pat C]

And why would you think otherwise?

Nice rifle!

[Sarge]

Great stuff Ted and thanks for sharing it.

[Sixgun]

Glad it worked out for you. There’s still plenty of experimentation left, then we’ll start working on that Colt……or I’ll send Jay (Old Win) up your way to get that Colt for me. He has a well oiled buffalo coat with big pockets…….well used big pockets I might add.

You say it was made in ‘95? Or was that the other one? How close is the number to 113981

[TedH]

You say it was made in ‘95? Or was that the other one? How close is the number to 113981

This one is 118495.

[Ysabel Kid]

Beautiful pair, Ted!

[JBowen]

Now those are awesome! Great combo!
I have a '92 Winchester carbine made in 1904 that shoots great with .312-.313 commercial cast 115 grain rnfp over 4 grains of Unique.

JBowen

[PriseDeFer]

I read a short item in some old issue of some old gun magazine that Gene Autry favored the 32/20 as his personal six shooter.
I know, when he sang it was a 44, but there you have it.